First Coast Charlotte $1.06/mi w/FSC & they charge $150 for leaving before 60 days

Beware Owner Ops considering going intermodal local in Charlotte, NC. Stay clear of First Coast Logistics of Charlotte.

I gave them 2 full weeks and a day of a tryout and my average trip was $1.06 per mile with the FSC. I even ran over 3200 miles one week to make sure I was giving it a good shot at working. I basically was doing OTR that week and slept in the truck 3 nights. The whole reason anyone goes intermodal is to be at home at night.

I told them that isn't enough money to run a truck and that I would be leaving. I offered to carry one last load after telling them I was ending my lease and they said don't worry about it. Today I get a gutted settlement where they made up a $150 admin charge for leaving prior to 60 days and they charged me $110 in drayage fees to repower a load. Remember I offered to carry the last load. I also have a receipt for the return of all their crap; warlock, logbook, peeled decals & IFTA. That $150 admin fee is total BS--they owe me for wasting 2 weeks of my time and truck use!

Also, I was on one fo those 74% deals and I never saw a bill showing what the shipper was actually paying. That's federal DOT law to disclose if the truck is on a percentage deal. I doubt I ever got 74% of the actual rate.

Live and learn, and then share the lesson on TheTruckersReport...that's what I say.

Anyhow, I'll be putting things together to send to OOIDA and I'll make sure to spread the bad news about them all over the Carolinas.

All First Coast locations/agents aren't like this because each office is independent. This info only applies to the Charlotte, NC First Coast.

I wonder how many owner ops would sign with a company that only pays $1.06 a mile and warns you they will charge you if you find it isn't right for you before 60 days? Oh yea, each time you want to get fuel on their EFS fuel card you need to call them to make sure money is on the card. They also do their settlements on that same crappy card and it charges you $3.00 atm fee for every $500 you withdraw. I have long thought that paying a driver on a card with fees garbage is a huge scam and a way for trucking companies to make money off of payroll.

BTW, I will find a way to get my $260 in bogus charges back...it will be the most troublesome BS deductions they have ever tried to collect. I signed nothing saying I'll give you $150 for underpaying me to haul your heavy container crap.

I have records to back every statement made here today.

Trucking companies truly suck. I've only driven for one that didn't lie to me and paid what they said. That company was Watkins Shepard and I'd still be there if they had home daily owner/op work.

 

Here's the thing I emailed them upfront before signing on saying I need to make $1500 to $2000 AFTER FUEL costs each week to make it worth my while. I said I don't mind at all running hard or going above and beyond. They said my target was 'no problem'. I drove like a dog (over 3200 miles) the first full week and the payoff was $900 after fuel.

Jarman, I would have never signed had they told me it was like that for an owner op with them. I'm with BTT now getting $1.10 a mile guaranteed with 23% fuel charge and lots of accessory fees I can earn in addition to them paying all DOT annual inspections and all physicals. My truck is paid off and I know this still isn't enough but I bettered myself about 30cpm.

 

I saw some of those guys and talked with them in the lot there. I believe (although I cannot prove) there are cherry picks that are given to some and others pick the scraps. Also you must know all those guys own their rig paid in full so that helps. 3200 miles in a week only got me $900 in net after fuel costs, In other words I was making about company driver pay for taking all risks and upkeep and insurance costs. I've always been fine with someone making as much money as they can and it doesn't bother me. For me, the 2 weeks and a day experience wasn't right according to the almighty math. You know what they say...'Numbers don't lie, but liars sure do use numbers!' I hope those guys that are staying their are fattening their wallets weekly and it doesn't bother me at all.

Speaking of CLT rails...that NS yard at the airport is for the birds....WOW the wasted productivity time spent their just to return emptys! CSX you're in and out without hassle.

 

Corrected the decimal mistake...thanks for catching that